Hero K9 wins "Most Clone-Worthy Dog" contest, gets bonus

Receive the latest weird updates in your inbox

James Symington poses with five puppies cloned from his former partner.

Updated at 12:20 PM PDT on Wednesday, Jun 17, 2009

These five cloned German shepherd puppies have some big paw prints to fill.

The duplicated doggies were delivered Sunday to owner James Symington, a former Canadian police officer, and his wife in Holmby Hills, Calif.

Before the original über dog, Trakr, died in April at age 16, the couple had entered an essay contest that promised to clone a pet dog for free -- if the pooch was worthy. Cloning generally costs about $150,000.

Puppies of Cloned Hero Arrive in LA

"This was a very touching story that spoke not just to the moment in history, but also, to a truly objectively amazing animal," said Lou Hawthorne, of BioArts. "Some of that can be captured from cloning."

Symington met Trakr's clones -- Trustt, Solace, Valor, Prodigy and Deja vu -- for the first time this week. He said they already exhibit some of the qualities that made Trakr such a great dog.

"They've got confidence and that sense of curiosity," said Symington. "It's so unique and so extraordinary."

The puppies' similarities to Trakr also lift Symington's spirits after his longtime partner and friend died.

"There's never an easy time to say goodbye," he said. "But seeing, holding and loving these puppies gives me a lot of comfort."